Four Corners Monument

Photo by Alfredo De Simone

Four Corners Monument is a proverbial tourist trap yet there are three reasons to visit this Navajo attraction. 1) Four Corners Monument marks the only place in the United States where four states - Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah - meet at one point. 2) Placing hands and feet in four states simultaneously sounds cool to most kids. 3) There's little to see in the vicinity thus it provides one of the few opportunities to get out and stretch.

Four Corners Monument is located 6 miles north of Teec Nos Pos, Arizona and is situated roughly 2/3 mile north of US Hwy 160. The nearest full service towns are Cortez, Colorado (40 miles or 64 km) Shiprock, NM (33 miles or 53 km), Bluff, Utah (65 miles or 105 km) and Kayenta, Arizona (77 miles or 124 km).

While there is no right or wrong time of year to visit the Four Corners region there are a few things to consider. The climate is high desert. The nighttime low is significantly cooler than the daytime high, even in summer. Summer days are hot; expect snow in winter.

Four Corners Monument is managed by the Navajo Nation. Wood-framed concessions and souvenirs stands sell overpriced Native American fare and handicrafts. There are picnic tables onsite but no running water or electricity. It's hardly worth a detour.